How are people finding information in Second Life?

My Second Life research project concluded with an end-of-term presentation within Second Life. My advisor, Michael Stephens, and two other avatars showed up to hear my research results and participate in discussion.

This blog will continue to exist as a record of this project but I’ll no longer be actively posting to it. So, signing off, thanks much to those of you who have followed this project. I appreciate your kind comments and words of encouragement along the way.

Sheila Yoshikawa (Sheila Webber in real life) hosted me at the InfoLit iSchool in Second Life for a rousing discussion around my research findings. Quite a crowd of avatars showed up, and the discussion was lively.

One strand of the discussion dealt with whether libraries and librarians in SL should extend services to ‘generic’ SL users or stay focused within targeted communities — often based on real life social groups like a student body at a university.

Here is some of the conversation. Stay tuned for a link to the full chat transcript.

[12:49] You: I’d like to return to the question of whether or not it’s worthwhile to even try to extend services to “all” SL users, or are libraries better served to set up shop with a defined RL group of users in mind (e.g. a student body)?
[12:50] Frances Obolensky: Why call it a library? Why not an infomration kiosk?
[12:50] Riven Homewood: Mine is set up with a defined group of sl users in mind – the residents of my town
[12:50] FORTUNATA Questi: I think in setting up ANY environment, you have to imagine a group of users with a group of needs.
[12:50] Holland Zerbino: I think its a questio of resources e could only support SL from our RL orgaization
[12:50] Robin Mochi: I’m actually thinking that roving reference in SL may make more sense in many ways.
[12:50] You: Riven, your RL town? Or a region of SL?
[12:50] FORTUNATA Questi: whether it is a library in RL or SL or a store/mall
[12:50] Sheila Yoshikawa: hmmm – think I’ve said before – I feel more focus on teh skilled librarian and less on what the “library” looks like
[12:50] Solobill Laville: I think that specificity is really key actually.
[12:50] Riven Homewood: sl town
[12:50] You: Robin, how so?
[12:50] Sheila Yoshikawa: so – different views!
[12:50] You: How could roving reference work in SL? Continue Reading »

Does a 3D immersive environment suggest new models of information seeking behavior? Just how are people getting at information in virtual worlds? What does this mean for libraries and librarians?

At this event, I will share my research findings about at how people in Second Life seek information.

This presentation will use voice and will be recorded.

April 22, 2008
Presentation from 7:30 – 8:30 am Second Life Time (SLT)
In Second Life at Info Island International
@ Stage near China Cafe (76, 170, 32)

IM Testy Outlander in Second Life for a Notecard Invite with Landmark
The landmark will place you in a general welcome area. From there, take the short path of large grey stones to the wooden boardwalk. Follow the boardwalk, and you will arrive at the presentation area located next to the China Cafe.

Margaret Ostrander (Testy Outlander) has spent the last two months conducting research about the information seeking habits of everyday Second Life (SL) users.

Research findings showed that none of the users interviewed had used SL libraries, and nearly all were unaware of their existence. What should the role of the SL library or librarian be beyond the borders of places like Info Island? Why are so many SL users unaware of SL libraries? What is your institution doing to provide outreach into the vast corners of this rich virtual universe? How can the everyday information seeking behaviors of SL residents inform library services?

Come join in this discussion! IM Testy Outlander for a landmark to this event.